University of Kentucky Beef Extension

06/05/2026

Dry Conditions Are a Real Concern
In June Off the Hoof, Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler notes that most of the state experienced a dry spring and that producers should plan now for limited pasture forage availability if timely rain is missed. He also points out that first-cutting yields may be less than normal in many fields. Read the full article in Off the Hoof: https://afs.mgcafe.uky.edu/extension/beef/off-the-hoof-newsletters

06/04/2026

Spring-Calving Herd Management
Dr. Les Anderson reminds producers that cows should be on good pasture with clover and preferably low endophyte levels in fescue for the spring breeding season. Cattle should also have abundant shade and water.
Read the full article in Off the Hoof: https://afs.mgcafe.uky.edu/extension/beef/off-the-hoof-newsletters

06/03/2026

Save the Date: Summer Beef Confinement Webinar Series
The June newsletter includes a Save the Date for the Summer Beef Confinement Webinar Series. The planned schedule lists July 9, July 16, July 23, and July 30, with registration by email to Jeff Lehmkuhler and topics focused on practical confinement-beef management.
Read the full article in Off the Hoof: https://afs.mgcafe.uky.edu/extension/beef/off-the-hoof-newsletters

06/01/2026

OFF THE HOOF (June 2026)
Kentucky Beef Cattle Newsletter

In this Issue...
• Timely Tips - Dr. Les Anderson
• Stretching Forage in Dry Conditions - Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler
• UK Fundamentals of Herd Health: Vaccinations for the Cow-Calf Operation - Dr. Michelle Arnold

https://afs.mgcafe.uky.edu/files/OTH-June-2026.pdf

05/31/2026

Reducing calving problems starts with genetic decisions
In this video, Dr. Darrh Bullock with UK Beef Extension discusses genetic considerations that can help reduce calving problems, including how selection decisions influence calving ease and long‑term herd performance.
Understanding how genetics factor into calving outcomes can help producers make more informed breeding decisions.
🔗 Watch the video here:
https://youtu.be/wzfQI4aYG0w?si=kuK8P5CVK6NhUezR
Specialist: Dr. Darrh Bullock — UK Beef Extension

05/30/2026

Why beef demand has remained strong — even at high prices
In the May 2026 Off the Hoof newsletter, Dr. Kenny Burdine discusses how improvements in carcass quality over time have helped support beef demand, even as prices remain historically high.
Understanding how quality trends influence demand helps provide context for today’s cattle markets.
👉 Read the full May newsletter here:

Off the Hoof: Beef Newsletters Off the Hoof: Beef Newsletters Off the Hoof is a Kentucky beef newsletter published monthly by Dr. Les Anderson, a Beef Extension Specialist in the Department of Animal & Food Sciences at the University of Kentucky. Recent Newsletters May 2026- Drs. Anderson, Lehmkuhl...

05/29/2026

Thank you to our beef producers and Extension partners
As the Spring 2026 Beef Extension Specialist programs begin to wind down, we want to take a moment to sincerely thank all the producers who participated in our programs this spring. Your engagement and willingness to learn are what make these efforts meaningful.
We would also like to extend a special thank‑you to our county Extension Agriculture agents for their hard work and dedication in helping deliver these programs to producers across the state. We are grateful to everyone who supports and contributes to Beef Extension programming.
As spring programming concludes, we are already preparing for Fall 2026 Beef Extension programs.
To stay connected and informed:

✅ Make sure you’re subscribed to your county Agriculture agent’s newsletter
✅ Visit the UK Beef Extension website to learn more about resources and upcoming programs:
https://afs.mgcafe.uky.edu/extension/beef
✅ Check out the Animal & Food Sciences Beef page for additional information and updates:
https://afs.mgcafe.uky.edu/beef
✅ Follow our page to stay up to date on programs, events, and beef cattle information

Thank you again for being part of the UK Beef Extension community

05/29/2026

🧬 Genetic trends in beef cattle are changing — and breed differences matter
Genetic trends for beef cattle continue to evolve, especially for traits related to growth and maternal performance. While growth traits have increased across most breeds, changes in maternal traits such as milk production vary by breed — making breed comparison an important part of selection decisions.
In this UK Beef Extension publication, Dr. Darrh Bullock discusses why monitoring genetic trends and relative breed differences is critical when making long‑term breeding and herd management decisions.
👉 Read the full Extension publication (ASC‑256) here:
https://publications.mgcafe.uky.edu/asc-256
Author: Dr. Darrh Bullock — UK Beef Extension
Published August 8, 2023 | ASC Series

05/28/2026

On this episode of the Beef Bits podcast, host Jeff Lehmkuhler is joined by Dr. Hannah Tiffin, Associate Extension Professor, to discuss ticks and how to control them. For additional on ticks check out the Bite Lab https://bitelabky.mgcafe.uky.edu/ Finding chemical control options that work for faci...

05/28/2026

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